The Friends of the Library's big fall book sale is just two weeks away now. I'm not sure what I enjoy more, setting up for the sale or watching the people find great deals on books they haven't read.
Setting up can be a lot of work, but we always share a lot of laughter too. After holding several of these events, the organizers have the set up process down to a science. This time, we have finally convinced the main organizer to let us keep the book store inventory closet closed. Yes, for the past two years we have emptied every item from that closet and moved all of it into the store. Then we filled the closet back up with books for the sale, mostly romances, and then when the sale was over, reversed the process. It was extremely labor intensive and took four ladies working solid for 5 hours to get just one half the work done. So, this time, the doors will be locked and the romances put out with the other books on the banquet tables. The four of us went out for lunch to celebrate the fact we didn't have to move the contents of that closet, twice, this year!
I always work the fiction room during set up and have organized the hardback fiction for the last two sales. We also have a nonfiction room and a children's room.
We always have interesting customers. The only thing more interesting is what they buy. You just never know what someone will 'find' and have to purchase. Then when we start the bag and box sale late Saturday, wow, people just grab books and fill those containers.
I'm working the sale on Wednesday, Thursday during set up and then on Friday for a bit. Soccer tournaments will prevent me from being on hand Saturday.
We've raised as much at $8K at a sale, but since the store has been open, our total has dropped a bit and we consistently raise about $6K over the two and half days. Lots of volunteers give time or food and the community spirit that is fostered is amazing.
4 comments:
The book sales are great fun. Cashiering is the best job of all. Counting items, taking money, making friends...and I get to see all the people who find the books they want; also helping direct lookers to the sections they seek. We usually gain several new FRIENDS members at the presale, too.
Maybe the monsoon season will be past by Sale time ! I hope.
Between us we cover both ends of the sale. Yes, we need to hope the rain moves out and doesn't cycle back for those few days.
sob! I missed it!
Kim, it is the first weekend in October, so you haven't missed it yet.
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